5 star players who have turned Pakistan into a formidable ODI team

It was not too long ago that Pakistan was ranked eighth in ODIs, and consequently in serious jeopardy of missing out on automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup in England. Channeling their trademark unpredictability, they have risen from the ashes and become genuine contenders for the game's flagship event.

After edging past West Indies in the three-match series in the Caribbean, Sarfraz Ahmed's rejuvenated troops proceeded to lift the 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy against all odds.

With the retirements of former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and batting stalwart Younis Khan leaving gaping holes in their Test team, Pakistan's UAE fortress was breached in the two-match series by Sri Lanka. However, they reiterated that their ODI fortunes continue to be on the upswing by demolishing a hapless Lankan team 5-0.

Extra Cover: 5 reasons why Sri Lanka was whitewashed by Pakistan

In order of impact and consistency, here are five dynamic cricketers who have successfully managed to turn Pakistan into a dangerous ODI team once again.

#5 Sarfraz Ahmed

Following Pakistan's ignominious 0-3 whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh in 2015, there were many who bemoaned Azhar Ali's insipid leadership. Successive 1-4 ODI series losses in England and Australia left the Pakistan Cricket Board with no choice but to sack the makeshift opener from captaincy.

Having led his country to a U-19 World Cup title (2006), Sarfraz Ahmed became the natural choice to take over the mantle.

With his passionate leadership and aggressive approach, the wicketkeeper-batsman breathed fresh life into what had become a stagnant ODI outfit. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, and his positive mindset and self-belief seems to have rubbed off onto his team mates.

While there is much room for improvement on the Test front, Sarfraz's captaincy in the limited-overs formats has been nothing but brilliant. The coveted throne is usually seen as a poisoned chalice in Pakistan. However, the gloveman has shown that he heralds a bright future for his team.

It is, without doubt, his attacking leadership that has revived Pakistan's inimitable panache.

Career statistics

1,650 runs from 80 ODIs at an average of 35.11 and strike-rate of 87.86; two centuries and seven 50s

Captaincy record

12 wins and 2 defeats from 14 matches

#4 Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir provided a fitting reminder about Pakistan's pace legacy with a scintillating spell in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India. His amazing melange of searing pace and late swing proved to be too hot to handle for an in-form top-order containing eminent batsmen such as Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. The left-armer's brilliant use of the crease created awkward angles which planted fatal seeds of doubt in the minds of the batsmen.

Upon returning to the Pakistan team following a five-year ban (due to the infamous spot-fixing scandal), Amir has not been able to recapture the jaw-dropping skills of his younger self in Tests.

However, in ODIs, the southpaw's mojo appears to remain unblemished. Since his comeback, Amir has picked up 30 wickets from 21 ODIs with an admirable economy-rate of 5.05. Although a shin injury prevented him from participating in the 5-match series against Sri Lanka, the 25-year old is still a vital cog in Pakistan's white-ball teams.

Career statistics

55 wickets from 36 ODIs at an average of 27.41 and economy rate of 4.84

#3 Shadab Khan

Possessing the exuberance of youth, Shadab Khan is growing into a confident cricketer with each passing game.

After showcasing his immense potential in his debut series in the West Indies, he provided his team with the scalp of Yuvraj Singh in the Champions Trophy final. The experienced left-hander, who was the Player of the Match in the group game between the two teams, completely played down the wrong line to an accurate delivery from the leg-spinner. The manner in which the teenager convinced his hesitant skipper to use the Decision Review System highlighted his incredible self-belief.

In the recently completed five-match ODI series, Shadab ran rings around the inept Sri Lankan batsmen, and finished as the second leading wicket-taker with ten scalps.

Much more than sheer numbers, the wrist-spinner's courage to flight the ball as well as his judicious use of the googly were beyond his age. The 19-year old also displayed his batting ability with a crucial, unbeaten 52 to guide Pakistan to a competitive total.

As long as he keeps working hard on his game, the young all-rounder is looking set for an extremely productive career.

Career statistics

19 wickets from 12 ODIs at an average of 25.47 and economy rate of 4.98; 66 runs with one 50

#2 Babar Azam

In the history of ODI cricket, Babar Azam's stunning average of 58.60 is the second best among all batsmen who have played at least 20 matches. His seemingly insatiable appetite for runs makes him one of the finest talents in the international arena.

While his Test numbers appear abysmal as a result of an acute lack of patience, Babar is at home in the 50-over format. Be it piercing the gaps with deft nudges or sensing the appropriate moments to target the boundary ropes, the 23-year old has decoded the intricacies of batting in modern-day ODI cricket.

Such transcendental prowess gives a suitable indication of his stupendous potential in ODIs.

Career statistics

1,758 runs from 36 ODIs at an average of 58.60 and strike-rate of 85.88; seven centuries and seven 50s

#1 Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali is unarguably the best ODI bowler in the world at the moment. The 23-year old sits pretty at the top of the ICC Players rankings with as many as 743 rating points.

In an era dominated by aggressive batsmen, standing apart as a bowler is not an easy task. Yet, Hasan has rapidly established himself as one of the most valuable cricketers in the present 50-over scene.

Extra Cover: Hasan Ali - This is just the beginning

After topping the wicket charts and scooping the Player of the Tournament award in the 2017 Champions Trophy, Hasan picked up from where he left off and went on to wreck Sri Lanka's batting progress in the five-match series.

Despite not being at the optimum height required for a world-class pacer, he continues to take the game by storm. His smooth action allows him to generate slippery pace. Capable of moving the new ball and reversing the old one, the talented bowler also has the tactical nous to set up batsmen and deliver key scalps in the middle-overs as well.

If he manages to sustain this excellent start to his career, Hasan has the potential to spearhead Pakistan's adept bowling attack to a fruitful campaign in the 2019 World Cup.